NEDLANDS TRIUMPH IN HASTINGS REID CUP

The Hastings Reid Cup is a longstanding annual event on the WA Golfing Calendar dating back to 1948 and named in recognition of the first Secretary of the WA Golf Association. From 1948 to 1971 the format changed on several occasions.

From 1971 to 2010 it was played the week following Opening Day at Metropolitan Clubs. Clubs were represented by their President and Captain and commonly referred to as President’s and Captain’s Day. Each Metropolitan club took it in turns to host the day for the 23 Metropolitan Club Presidents and Captains. The format was combined Stableford and it was a highly sought-after State Title giving winning Presidents and Captains bragging rights for the next twelve months.

Following the amalgamation of the WAGA and WGWA the format and date changed and it was made open to nominated teams of four from all Metropolitan Clubs and played in conjunction with the GOLF WA Annual Golf Day and Dinner in August. The format changed to a 4 Ball Event (Best Ball of the four players to count). It remains a well sought-after title.

Over the previous 39 years Nedlands had only won it once – in 2005 – when President Darrell Arnett and Captain Michael Duffy combined to win the trophy at Royal Fremantle Golf Club.

This year the event was played at Royal Perth Golf Club last Friday with nineteen clubs represented and the Nedlands Team broke the drought and triumphed by 5 points with an amazing score of 54 points. It was pleasing to see that in keeping with the traditions of the Hastings Reid Cup, the Club was represented by President Tim Tan, Ladies President Jill Morgan, Captain Joe Alexander, and Ladies Captain Carolyn Browne.

 

In claiming victory Captain Joe Alexander said “Whilst it was a team effort special mention must be made of Tim’s magnificent round which saw him on the card eleven times. His approach shots and putting were outstanding. Jill was on the card three times – all for three points and Carolyn and myself both assisted with a four pointer each. I was proud to be part of the Nedlands Team to bring home the Hastings Reid Cup for only the second time in the history of the event.”

So Nedlands now has its name etched on the Hastings Reid Cup and the respective Presidents and Captains are to be congratulated on their achievement and fully deserve bragging rights for the next 12 months.

From Greg Fitzhardinge